New Tourism Plan Launched

TAT Director Mr. Kongkrut explained that in order to respond to Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization and Pattaya Tourism Promotion, the 2010-marketing plan includes road show events in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The road shows are scheduled to begin by the end of this year. The main objective is to attract and increase tourism to Pattaya during the upcoming high traveling season, as Pattaya has been severely affected by the world economic crisis.

Regarding Pattaya’s current tourism situation; the European tourist market remains in crisis, while the Russian market is improving, but not to satisfactory levels yet. Surprisingly, the Indian market appears to be the most interesting market for Pattaya now because the numbers of Indian tourists coming to visit are increasing. Indians are expected to represent the highest amount of tourists to visit Pattaya this year. This may be because India does not depend on import-export businesses to the same extent as some other countries. Most Indians consume domestic products, resulting in India being less affected by the world economic crisis than other countries, which depend on import-export.

In addition, 30% of Indian people are the middle class citizens who represent high buying potential and appear to be among the group of tourists most likely to visit Pattaya this year.

Besides not depending so much on exports, India also benefits from many American investments. A large number of call centers for American companies are located in India, resulting in higher incomes for many Indians.